Chapter 40

POV - (Point of View) Aurora Navarro

Tristan looked at me as if he couldn't decipher whether I was serious.

"I've thought a lot about this. My decision is final, I won't change it," I said with more firmness and clarity.

"And you intended to leave like this, in secret?"

"Well, I did leave a note."

"A note," he repeated and let out a weak, harsh, humorless laugh. "I don't recognize you."

Neither do I! Writing notes is not like me, but I thought it would be easier to leave than to face him while saying "goodbye." I also thought he wouldn't care. After all, why is he so angry about it?

"And would it make a difference? Hearing the words from my mouth or reading them on a piece of paper, do they have different destinies?" He didn't answer, so I sighed. "That doesn't matter. Anyway, I'm leaving from here."

"Are you sure about this? Are you sure it's what you want?"

"Yes. I'm sure. It's enough for me. You've only been hurting me."

"I hurt you?" He furrowed his eyebrows, not understanding.

This was the last time we were seeing each other. I wanted to be honest for once, to say that I fell in love with him, that it saddened me not to be reciprocated, that I ruined everything by breaking the first and most important rule of the agreement. But my pride was greater, and what good would it do to show all that now? It would only make everything even more difficult and humiliating.

"You know, Mr. Arrogant, I may seem strong, but I'm a woman like all others. I want to have a normal relationship, one that I can imagine a future in, not a relationship based on sex that I don't know if it will last another day, a month, or a year."

Tristan looked at me with his usual cold gaze. After a moment of silence, he turned away, running his hands through his hair.

"Okay. If that's what you want."

He disappeared from my sight. He accepted it so easily, as if my presence or absence didn't make a difference in his life. I had imagined he would act like this; for him, each girl was a short-term relationship to broaden his horizons, but predicting it didn't protect me from the heartache that came soon after.

I left without looking back. My eyes burned with tears, but not a single drop fell. I leaned against one of the elevator walls and closed my eyes, squeezing them tightly. How are we now? We're just strangers now. Everything is gone now. And I won't be stuck in the past; I'll start over the right way, but if I want to move forward, I can't leave loose ends behind. I need to face all the consequences, one by one, and I need to clear my conscience of the burden of guilt.

***

It was late afternoon when the plane landed in New York. I was exhausted from not sleeping a wink last night and not during the trip, judging myself to be the worst sister in the world. How could I lie to Adelaide so shamelessly? How could I deceive her so many times?

During the taxi ride home, I mentally prepared myself for the conversation I would have with Adelaide. I will tell her everything that happened after the night of the accident. It will be very difficult, but it's necessary. She's my only family, and I can't live with this overwhelming feeling of guilt anymore.

Arriving at my building, a good sense of comfort filled me. This was my home, and there was nothing better than being in it. I didn't rush to enter; I was already standing in front of the apartment door, breathing hesitantly, gathering all the courage and determination. And when I felt ready, I unlocked the door and entered.

The place was too quiet. For a moment, I thought Adelaide wasn't home, but I changed my mind as soon as I heard a noise coming from the hallway. I left my suitcase in the living room and headed for the source of the noise. I saw that one of the last doors in the hallway was open. My steps were steady until I entered the room, but when I did, my feet automatically stopped, and my eyes widened.

My dark room was a mess, the drawers of the dressers were open, the photos of my friends scattered on the floor, and in one corner, Adelaide looked terrified at the photos of Tristan in her hands.

"Adelaide!" As an impulse, I took the photos from her hands. We stared at each other with a momentary flash of surprise in our eyes. "What were you doing going through my things?"

"I'm not the one who owes an explanation, it's you!" she exclaimed angrily.

"What are you talking about?"

"Kai investigated you, went to Emotion, and spoke to your 'friend,' Seraphina, who confirmed that there were no jobs involving the agency in Tokyo and that you changed shifts to travel with the family." I froze. She wasn't supposed to find out like this, through others. I wanted to have told her. "I searched through your things until I found this," she looked at the photos I was holding. "The constant outings, the expensive clothes, a new camera... I can't believe you got involved with Tristan for money!"

I furrowed my brow in disbelief.

"Is that what you think?"

"That's what I deduced. You're selling yourself to him because of our financial situation!"

I shook my head negatively.

"No. It's not like that!"

"Then what is it?" she raised her voice. "Tell me what's going on. I'm tired of all the lies!"

It was difficult, I hesitated many times, but in the end, I told her everything. I laid it all out. I said I was with him because I wanted to be and that I was never forced into anything. I didn't hide any detail from her.

Adelaide was stunned and stared at the ground for a while. When she seemed to absorb all that information, she lifted her head with an authoritative pose and started an endless series of sermons.

"Do you realize what you've done? You gave your virginity to him and accepted to be his exclusive sexual object!" Of course, I knew, but I didn't interrupt her. I wanted to hear it, I needed it, a good sermon. "I warned you so many times that there are men like that, who claim to move heaven and earth for you, but it's all a lie! And that wasn't what upset me the most, you lied to me, you deceived me. I was worried, you know?"

I lowered my head, ashamed of my own actions.

"I'm sorry for everything I caused, but from now on, things will change. I've completely cut Tristan out of my life."

"How do you expect me to trust you after all this?"

Her words hurt more than the intense and burning pang I felt when Tristan broke my heart.

Starting over was harder than I thought. I may have underestimated it, but I won't stop now or turn back.

***

Weeks later, spring finally arrived, bringing with it a new hope. I love this season because everything becomes even more beautiful and blooming, reflecting the changes I desire in my life.

Things between Adelaide and me didn't seem to get worse, but they didn't improve either. She started ignoring me, and few were the words she directed at me. She also didn't give me any explanations about her activities, maybe this was some kind of revenge. On the other hand, I rarely left the house, and when I did, I always informed her.

My old routine stabilized. In the morning, I stopped by Starbucks and then went to work. At night, I attended the marketing college I started a few days ago. I cut down on weekend parties, which resulted in a sulky Klaus, but he understood my reasons.

I don't know if my efforts will make Adelaide trust me again, but I won't give up. At least, I'm trying to change that heavy atmosphere between us.

On that Friday morning, with my hair firmly tied back, I tidied up my entire room. I did a thorough cleaning and put some of my clothes in a box for donation. Another box contained Tristan's belongings; my desire was to set them on fire, but with great reluctance, I decided to return them.

Hours passed. I left the building almost late in the afternoon and headed towards the man leaning against his own car. I reached out, handing him the cardboard box.

"Thank you for doing me this favor."

"No problem," he smiled kindly and took the box. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. Thank you for caring."

I think Griffin developed some kind of affection for me. He cared about my feelings. I know part of it was because of Tristan, but still, I'm grateful for his concern.

"Do you want a ride to college?"

I nodded, forcing a smile.

During the ride, we talked and laughed at his bad jokes. Amidst senseless jokes, conversations, and people, I seemed to be fine. I pretended not to feel anything and tried to smile.

Arriving at college, I said goodbye to Griffin and entered the large building. Since I came by car, I arrived quite early. Few people were walking the halls to kill time, but I went straight to my classroom. I entered a few minutes early, but I wasn't the only one. There were some girls sitting near the professor's desk, doing it just to drool over the "sexy" professor.

"Good evening, Professor Frederick!"

He looked at me and stretched his lips into a smile.

"Good evening, Miss Aurora!"

I went to sit, followed by the angry glares of the girls. I enjoyed that, I confess, but my friendship with Frederick had nothing to do with it. He was the one who helped me in the first days of class, and we developed a healthy friendship, especially after discovering that we were both addicted to caffeine.

However, I feel like he's hiding something. Every day, he was cheerful and kind to everyone. It was too much perfection for my taste.

The hours passed. The bell rang as I made the final notes on my notebook. Professor Frederick stopped the students from leaving to announce the lecture that would take place in the auditorium. It wasn't mandatory, so I didn't care to go; I was only thinking about my comfortable bed.

I packed my belongings and passed through the door. When I was already in the hallway, I heard a voice calling me, making me turn.

"Frederick," I smiled. When we were outside the classroom, he allowed me to call him by his first name.

"Are you going to the lecture?" We started walking side by side.

"Do I get points for it?"

"No."

"Then no," I said, making him laugh.

"Your honesty about your interests moves me," commented Frederick, praising my frankness.

"And what about you? Are you going to the lecture?" I asked him.

"I have an obligation to go, just as I have a duty to encourage my students to participate," he replied with a serene look.

I raised an eyebrow at his response.

"So, will you give me points if I go?" I teased, curious.

"No, but I can buy you a coffee," he suggested with a smile.

Did he really think he could buy me with a cup of coffee? And he was absolutely right. I accepted the invitation without hesitation.

Together, we entered the auditorium, which, to my surprise, was packed with students. Frederick headed for the stage while I sat in the first available chair I found. Coincidentally, the guy next to me was the same person I asked for information before the classes began.

Harry, that was his name. I knew that because we were in the same class. He was focused on his phone, playing an RPG-style game. His skillful fingers moved quickly on the screen, demonstrating his expertise in the game.

"You're really good, Harry," I started a conversation, trying to be friendly.

He looked at me for a split second, just like the first time we met, paying more attention to the game than the conversation. Maybe he didn't even remember my face.

"Please, call me Nicholas!" he corrected, still keeping his eyes on the phone.

"Is it a childhood nickname?" I asked curiously.

"No, it's my nickname in virtual games, and I prefer to be called that."

I didn't see a problem in calling him by that pseudonym, but his habit of talking to people without looking at them bothered me a little.

"So, Nicholas, I don't understand much about these games, but from what I can see, you're really good!"

"I'm the best!" he finally looked at me, and only because he won the game. "Thanks for the compliment, but I know how competent I am. I'm on the global ranking!"

I was surprised by that information, although slightly irritated by his conceited side.

"Global ranking?" I widened my eyes.

"My father owns an electronic games company, so I was influenced to this."

"I bet you were one of those teenagers addicted to games and a virgin," I teased, wanting to challenge him.

He blushed violently and returned to messing with his phone.

"You're quite straightforward!" he replied, embarrassed.

"And you're not very sociable, are you?" I continued.

"No, I also don't make an effort to be. I prefer games over people."

I crossed my arms, intrigued by never having met someone like him before.

"What do they have that I don't?" I asked, with genuine curiosity.

"Mute button," he needled, making me narrow my eyes.

"And do you know the difference between the avatar in that little game and you?" He looked at me curiously. "The avatar has more than one life. So be careful when you talk to me!" I started snapping my fingers, giving him a challenging look.

"You brute!" he exclaimed, but I noticed a slight smile on his face.

"You virgin!" I retorted, provoking him.

Most of my friendships started like this, with arguments and nicknames, and that's why I knew I would have Nicholas' friendship from now on.